Manchester United v West Brom preview: United look to strengthen title bid
Sunday 8 November 2015 13:58, UK
Manchester United host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday looking for a fifth straight clean sheet in all competitions.
Louis van Gaal's side have scored just one goal in their previous four games, however, and sit in fourth place in the Premier League, four points off joint leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.
West Brom, who won this fixture 1-0 last season in May, sit in 12th place under Tony Pulis, and could go as high as eighth with a victory.
Team news
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has returned to training following his illness but is still a doubt for Manchester United's home game against West Brom.
Ashley Young looks set to continue at right-back as Matteo Darmian is suspended and Antonio Valencia is still out with a foot injury. Long-term absentees Luke Shaw (leg) and Paddy McNair (abdomen) remain sidelined.
The visitors, meanwhile, hope to have left-back Chris Brunt available for the trip to Old Trafford after a recent knock, however, first-choice goalkeeper Ben Foster is still missing after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament against Stoke in March.
Opta stats
Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals and assisted four more in his last seven Premier League starts against West Bromwich Albion.
West Brom have lost just one of their last five Premier League games against United (W2 D2 L1), and those two victories have come in their last two trips to Old Trafford.
United have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games at Old Trafford (W9 D3 L1), but that defeat was against West Brom.
The Baggies have won five and lost just two of their last nine Premier League games on the road.
Only one team has managed to score against West Brom in the Baggies' five Premier League away trips this season (Crystal Palace).
Merson's prediction
I watched West Brom go to Norwich a while back and they defended comfortably. Pulis will have his team set up to be very difficult to beat and United will have to score early to stop the crowd getting on their backs. They will be looking for an early breakthrough, and things could get difficult for them. But I do expect them to get over the line and collect three points.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 4/1)
Betting
United are Sky Bet's shortest-priced favourites of the weekend at 30/100, despite their unconvincing form, with West Brom up against odds of 11/1 to win and 15/4 to secure a draw.
Van Gaal's men are 9/1 to be involved in a third successive goalless draw in the Premier League, while under 2.5 goals is sure to be popular with punters at 4/5.
Rooney heads the first goalscorer betting at 3/1 after scoring the winner in midweek, while Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon are considered the visitors' main threats at 12/1 apiece.
